Greece’s style of play won it the European Championship four years ago, so it’s hardly surprising that the players are prepared to use it again even if that means more criticism heading their way. Coach Otto Rehhagel was accused of suffocating opponents with an impenetrable defense at the 2004 tournament, offering the neutral little spectacle. But the tactics took Greece to the biggest shock triumph in the competition’s history, so don’t expect any apologies or offers to refund the cost of tickets of unhappy fans.“The best way to play is to win, and that’s a very difficult thing to do,” captain Angelos Basinas said. “Are we playing well or not? If you win, everything is perfect . We have to stick to our game and hope for the best.”Basinas guided Greece through the Euro 2008 qualifiers, with 10 wins from 12 matches, and appears to be tiring of criticism over the team’s defensive tactics. They did bring the team 31 points in qualifying, more than any of the other 15 sides to reach this month’s tournament in Austria and Switzerland.“2004 is over. We took away the best possible memories. But now it’s 2008, we’re at another competition, and we’re trying to do the best we can.” Unlike the last tournament, Basinas said, Greece won’t be able to stay under the radar and hope to be underestimated by other teams. “(Success) changes how our opponents think,” he said. “They’re paying more attention to us. In 2004, it was inconceivable to anyone that we could win.”Rehhagel’s tactics appear largely unchanged: With emphasis on stopping opponents and keeping them guessing with players in every position able to score. Defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos embodies that principle. The 6-foot-3 player started in every qualifier and scored three goals.All together Kyrgiakos will pair up in defense with Traianos Dellas, the 6-foot-5 Euro 2004 standout. “We all attack and defend together. They are no separate parts,” Dellas said. While remaining defensive, Rehhagel has built on striking options with younger players coming in. Bayer Leverkusen striker Fanis Gekas hit five of Greece’s 25 qualification goals. Also new since 2004 are Celtic forward Georgios Samaras and Panathinaikos striker Dimitris Salpingidis.Dellas said the younger players had given Greece a more varied game. “We have experienced players and young players with a lot of ambition, so hopefully the mix will be just right in our games ahead,” he said. “We were champions in 2004 by playing in a certain way and having a certain team mentality. We have to keep that mentality . and play as we did in the qualifiers.”
